Jardiance Vs. Tradjenta: Drug Comparison

Jardiance^® (empagliflozin) is an oral medication used to improve blood sugar control in adults and pediatric patients aged 10 years and older with type 2 diabetes mellitus, as an adjunct to diet and exercise. It is also indicated to reduce the risk of cardiovascular death in adults with type 2 diabetes and established cardiovascular disease. Additionally, Jardiance helps reduce the risk of cardiovascular death and hospitalization for heart failure in adults with heart failure. It is also used to reduce the risk of sustained decline in estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), end-stage kidney disease, cardiovascular death, and hospitalization in adults with chronic kidney disease at risk of progression. This medication works as a sodium-glucose co-transporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitor, promoting the excretion of glucose through the urine​.

Tradjenta^® (linagliptin) is an oral medication used to manage type 2 diabetes by inhibiting the enzyme dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4), which increases the levels of incretin hormones, helping the body produce more insulin and reduce sugar production. Its FDA-approved indication is for improving blood sugar control in adults with type 2 diabetes, typically alongside diet and exercise. Tradjenta is available in tablet form, taken once daily. Common side effects include upper respiratory infections, headache, and joint pain, and while serious side effects like pancreatitis can occur. Drug interactions may occur with other diabetes medications, such as insulin or sulfonylureas, increasing the risk of low blood sugar.

Sodium-glucose co-transporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitor

Dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) inhibitor

Jardiance (empagliflozin) is indicated:

• To reduce the risk of cardiovascular death and hospitalization for heart failure in adults with heart failure

• To reduce the risk of sustained decline in estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), end-stage kidney disease, cardiovascular death, and hospitalization in adults with chronic kidney disease at risk of progression

• To reduce the risk of cardiovascular death in adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus and established cardiovascular disease

• As an adjunct to diet and exercise to improve glycemic control in adults and pediatric patients aged 10 years and older with type 2 diabetes mellitus

Tradjenta (linagliptin) is indicated:

• As an adjunct to diet and exercise to improve glycemic control in adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus

• Typically taken orally once daily

• Comes in 10 mg and 25 mg tablets

• Typically taken orally once daily

• Comes in 5 mg tablets

Most common adverse reactions (5% or greater incidence) were:

• Urinary tract infections

• Female genital fungal infections

Most common adverse reaction (incidence ≥5% and more often than placebo) was:

• Inflammation of the nose and throat

• Hypersensitivity to empagliflozin or any of the excipients in Jardiance

• See the Full Prescribing Information for information on drug interactions and interference of Jardiance with laboratory tests

• Hypersensitivity to linagliptin or any of the excipients in Tradjenta

• Drug interactions: strong P-glycoprotein/CYP3A4 inducers

• Diabetic ketoacidosis in patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus and other ketoacidosis

• Volume depletion

• Urosepsis and pyelonephritis

• Low blood sugar

• Necrotizing fasciitis of the perineum (Fournier's gangrene)

• Genital fungal infections

• Lower limb amputation

• Hypersensitivity reactions

• Pregnancy: Potential risk to a fetus especially during the second and third trimesters

• Breastfeeding: Not recommended when breastfeeding

• Pancreatitis

• Low blood sugar

• Hypersensitivity reactions

• Joint pain

• Bullous pemphigoid

• Heart failure

*This information is from the label for brand name Jardiance^®. See the Full Prescribing Information for more complete information.

*This information is from the label for brand name Tradjenta^®. See the Full Prescribing Information for more complete information. Linagliptin, the active ingredient in Tradjenta, may also be the active ingredient in other medications, and this information may not be accurate for all medications that include the active ingredient linagliptin.